VINNIE KNIGHT
Vinnie Knight was born in Harlem, New York and later moved to Brooklyn. At an early age she sang in church choirs and performed in school plays. Her father was singer and guitarist and traveled the world. Vinnie studied dance with ‘La Rocque Dance' theater and music at the ‘Julliard School Of Music' and Kings Borough Community College.
The rich voice of Ms. Vinnie Knight has many interpretations of what great American Jazz and blues singers sounds like. Her smooth, velvety, mysterious angelic voice has the sophistication of the great Sarah Vaughn, the earthiness of Pearl Bailey, and the seductiveness of Billie Holiday. There is no mimicking; the sound is just wonderfully natural.
Ms. Knight recorded the songs of the great composer "DUKE ELLINGTON" and was booked in Nairobi, Kenya. She starred with ‘Oliver Jackson and the Harlem Big Band of New York and toured Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Istanbul Turkey. On her return to New York Ms. Knight was booked on the "SS Norway cruise line and starred with the great trumpeter ‘ CLARKE TERRY' Well on her way she was booked in Japan at ‘Rapos Nightclub' with an all star Japanese orchestra.
Ms. Knight has recorded, performed and collaborated with the best musicians of the ‘Jazz World'. She has garnered rave reviews singing the music of "DUKE ELLINGTON' and "GLADYS SHELLY'. She has recorded a CD for GPRT Records entitled "DOIN' THINGS FOR HER", an original composition by Gladys Shelley and arranged by Ms. Knight. Zena Records has produced Collectors Editions of Ms. Knight singing songs from the "Duke Ellington' song book, a CD called "Sweet & Hot". Collectors Edition "Live In Japan". Collectors Edition "I've Gotta Be Me".
January 1997 Ms. Knight moved to Virginia Beach from her Native New York home where she began singing at such noted venues as ‘Uncle Louie's. The Jewish Mother, Bienville Grill, House of Jazz., Virginia Beach resort Hotel, founders Inn, Chrysler Hall Museum Of Art, Jullians ‘Cat Club' at Waterside, Harbor Club, Town Point Club, Oyster Alley, Fort Monroe's ‘ Officers Club ( A Salute to Duke Ellington Concert) as well as many private functions in the Hampton Roads.
Ms Knight later tried her acting ability and landed a few parts as an extra on The New Detectives and The FBI Series.
Vinnie has a profound love for music theater, she has written and produced
a musical revue called "BLACK PEARLS' (The Speakeasy) songs from the 1920's thru the 40's which had its world premier at ‘THE ACTOR'S THEATER' in Virginia
Beach, directed by Joe Sasso and choreographed by Ed Anderson.
November 10th, 11th & 12th, 2000 ‘BLACK PEARLS' was produced by special arrangements in part by "Hampton University' Dr. Karen Ward, director of
the Fine And Performing Arts Department and directed by Lucinda Piro McDermott. The musical revue was a total success sponsored by the ‘CROSSROADS THEATER
COMPANY' at Armstrong Hall Little Theater, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia.
The sequel Black Pearls and White Diamonds was directed by Ms. Knight at The Virginia Beach Central Library, Virginia Beach, Virginia July l6th, & 17th 2002.
In 2002, she performed at the Roper Theater in Norfolk, Virginia for the WALK OF FAME, in a tribute to Ruth Brown and Pearl Bailey.
April 9, 2003, she will be performing a dedication tribute to keeping Duke Ellington's music immortal; with the Hampton University Jazz Ensemble, in Hampton Virginia.
Received Award 2003, for Artistic Achievers for Music - Voice, from AFR'AM FEST
Recently returning from a two month tour at sea traveling to Ocho Rios,
Panama Canal, Limon, Grand Cayman, Cozumel Mexico, Nassau and Fort
Lauderdale.
Ms. Knight has just recorded a new CD disk titled ‘Lady Blue' which will be released shortly in the month of April 2004 and will be traveling to Acapulco, San
Francisco, Alaska, Vancouver and several ports of call entertaining and performing on a cruise for the next four months.
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Toured London November 2004 singing with the ‘Dave Clark' Blues Band.
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Kane Marie Gallery, VA. Beach - December 11, 2004 - Jazz Christmas Party
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Chrysler Museum Of Art. Norfolk, Va., - January 5th, 2005 Jazz Wednesday night
VINNIE KNIGHT
vinnwalker@aol.com